Agenda item

·  Reference from NCS, 25/06/18 – Cycle Hubs

The Neighbourhoods and Community Services Scrutiny Panel made the following recommendation at its meeting on 25th June 2018:

·  That a recommendation be made to the Cabinet to make a decision on the long term viability of the Cycle Hubs scheme.

The Cabinet agreed that the Cycle Hire and Hub schemes should continue to be promoted to staff, residents, commuters and businesses to make registration and use easier.  Cycle lanes should be maintained, kept clear and cycle routes should be promoted.  It was agreed the Cabinet would receive a progress report in December 2018.

The Overview & Scrutiny Committee made the following recommendation at its meeting on 12^th July 2018:

·  That Cabinet consider the provision of affordable housing within the context of the Capital Strategy 2018/19 to 2023/24.

The Cabinet noted the comments of the Committee; reiterated its commitment to increase the provision of social and affordable housing in Slough, for example through the £18m investment in James Elliman Homes in 2018/19; and stated that it was considering applying to the Government to lift the HRA borrowing ceiling.

The Cabinet considered the recommendations of the Neighbourhoods and Community Services Scrutiny Panel made at its meeting on 25^th June 2018 regarding the future of the cycle hire and hub schemes, and of the Overview & Scrutiny Committee made at its meeting on 12^th July 2018 on the capital programme.

Following concerns that about the apparent low usage of the cycle hire and hub schemes, the Neighbourhoods and Community Services Scrutiny Panel had recommended that “the Cabinet to make a decision on the long term viability of the Cycle Hubs scheme.”  It was noted that the report to the Panel had included inaccurate data that under-reported levels of use, however, the Cabinet recognised the general concern that more could be done to make the schemes more effective.

The Cabinet agreed that the cycle hire and hub schemes should continue to be promoted to staff, residents, commuters and businesses to make registration and use easier.  Cycle lanes should be maintained, kept clear and cycle routes should be promoted.  It was agreed the Cabinet would receive a progress report in December 2018.

The Overview & Scrutiny Committee had considered a report on the Capital Strategy and recommended: “That Cabinet consider the provision of affordable housing within the context of the Capital Strategy 2018/19 to 2023/24.”

The Cabinet noted the comments of the Committee; reiterated its commitment to increase the provision of social and affordable housing in Slough, for example through the £18m investment in James Elliman Homes in 2018/19; and stated that it was considering applying to the Government to lift the HRA borrowing ceiling.

Resolved –

(a)  That the recommendation of the Neighbourhoods and Community Services Scrutiny Panel from 25^th June 2018 regarding the cycle hire and hub schemes be noted.

(b)  That the Cabinet support the continuation of the cycle hire and hub schemes and that action be taken to increase the promotion of the facilities and the ease of registration and use.

(c)  That Slough’s network of cycle lanes be promoted and well maintained and that reported issues of below standard sections be addressed.

(d)  That the recommendation of the Overview & Scrutiny Committee from 12th July 2018 on the provision for affordable housing in the Capital Strategy be noted.

(e)  That the significant investment included in the Capital Strategy and the wider action plan to address affordable housing issues be noted.